Apparatus for preparing soil for the placement of seed and additive

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preparing soil for the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer. A frame is provided with there being first structure on the frame for penetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed and fertilizer as the frame is advanced in a travel direction. A second structure is provided on the frame at least partially downstream of the first structure for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from the first structure and b) loosening soil downstream of the first structure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/073,573 filed Jun. 8, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,224, for“Apparatus for Preparing Soil for the Placement of Seed and Additive.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to agricultural equipment and, more particularly,to an apparatus that simultaneously clears residue and loosens soil sothat seed and fertilizer can be placed therein in such a manner thatconsistent and optimum growing conditions can be established for theseed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many planting techniques currently practiced by farmers. Undera conventional process, planting of a field is carried out in steps.First, the entire field is worked to break up the soil, break loose theresidue from the preceding year's crops, and break down and work theresidue into the tilled soil. The planting rows in the prior year areeliminated so that the entire field has a substantially homogenous soiltexture.

This conventional technique has numerous drawbacks. First of all, thistechnique requires the performance of multiple steps to effect plantingof the field. The field is first cultivated during one or more passes ofa cultivator over the field. A separate planter attachment is thenutilized to deposit seed and spray fertilizer in an entirely separateoperation. To carry out the different operations, the user is requiredto connect and disconnect equipment to and from towing vehicle.

A further problem with this conventional technique is that the residue,such as corn stalks, may not be effectively pulverized, even thoughseveral passes are made over the field with the cultivator unit. Theresult is that the residue may jam up in the planter unit and/or blockthe placement of the seed and spraying of fertilizer.

A further problem with this conventional technique is that cultivationof the entire field increases soil erosion from both rain and wind. Notonly is this undesirable from the standpoint of loosing fertile soil,but of late the federal government has imposed restrictions on erosionby requiring that a certain amount of ground cover remain in place atall times in the field.

Certain of these problems led to the development of residue clearingdevices which facilitate the planting of seed without prior cultivation.The John Deere Company, for one, has been active in the development ofsuch residue clearing devices. One such structure currently offered byJohn Deere has a cooperating pair of rotary wheels. The wheels areconstructed from flat steel plate material and have a solid central bodywith radially projecting teeth spaced equidistantly about the peripheryof the body. A highly successful wheel design is commercially availablethrough the assignee herein under the trademark TRASHWHEEL™. Each wheelpair is mounted on a planter frame so that the teeth on the wheel pairare in mesh, with the wheels toed in at their bottoms and diverging awayfrom each other in a trailing direction. The angular relationship of thewheels results in their being automatically rotated as they engage withand are dragged through soil in operation.

The wheels are oriented so that they resituate residue in the plantingrow upstream of a “V-opener”, which defines an open seed slot. The framethat carries the wheels also carries a supply of fertilizer and/or seed,with the seed being deposited in the open slot as the frame is advanced.Once the seed is placed, a downstream pair of closing wheels redepositssoil in the slot created by the V-opener.

Heretofore, the residue clearing wheels have been operated at a depth soas not to penetrate as deeply as the seed slot. Consequently, theV-opener operates on primarily unloosened soil. In moist soil, theV-openers tend to create the slot primarily by compaction of the soilagainst the walls bounding the slot. When the closing wheels replacesoil in the seed slot, much of the soil remains in a compacted state atthe walls. The result is that less loose soil than is desirable isplaced back in the slot.

As a consequence of this, the seed may not be fully covered or coveredwith only a thin layer of soil. Alternatively, even if the seed isinitially covered with soil by the closing wheels, the soil, upon dryingout, tends to develop cracks through which the seed is directly exposedto the elements. The seed may be destroyed by, for example, directexposure to the sun. Alternatively, if fertilizers are subsequentlyplaced on the sod, the fertilizer may be applied in substantialquantities directly upon the seed, with adverse results.

Heretofore, since there has been no practical solution to the aboveproblem, those in the art have merely contended with this problem. Theresult of this is that crop quality and quantity are often significantlycompromised. This is particularly a problem in today's environment inwhich it is imperative that yield be maximized for farmland.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is specifically directed to overcoming theabove-enumerated problems in a novel and simple manner.

According to the invention, an apparatus is provided for preparing soilfor the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer. Aframe is provided with there being first structure on the frame forpenetrating the soil to create an opening for at least one of seed andfertilizer as the frame is advanced in a travel direction. A secondstructure is provided on the frame at least partially downstream of thefirst structure for at least one of a) stripping soil clods from thefirst structure and, b) loosening soil downstream of the firststructure.

With this arrangement, a loosened bed of soil, with a relatively uniformconsistency, can be defined for receipt of at least one of the seed andfertilizer.

In one form, the first structure is a coulter, which may be in the formof a wheel. A preferred form of wheel is one of a 13-wave, 8-wave and arippled construction wheel.

Similarly, the second structure can be in the form of a wheel and, ispreferably in the form of a cooperating pair of second and third wheels,with the first wheel rotatable about a horizontally extending axis andthe second and third wheels rotatable about axes that are transverse toeach other and the first wheel axis.

In one form, at least one of the second and third wheels traces a paththat coincides with the first wheel along the line of the traveldirection of the frame.

In one form, the frame has a main part and a subpart, with the subpartbeing selectively adjustable in a vertical direction relative to themain frame part so that the vertical position of the second and thirdwheels relative to the first wheel can be changed.

Similarly, the first wheel can be mounted to the frame for verticalmovement relative thereto. Consequently, the vertical positions of thefirst, second and third wheels on the frame can be selected by the user,with the second and third wheels being movable vertically in turnrelative to the first wheel.

In one form, the second and third wheels are arranged so that the planesof rotation thereof cooperatively define a “V” shape opening away fromthe travel direction. By placing the second and third wheels instraddling relationship to the first wheel, the second and third wheelswill pick clean clods of soil that may be adhered to the first wheel andbreak up soil clods that may be thrown by the coulter wheel inoperation.

The invention further contemplates the above structure in combinationwith a fourth structure on the frame for continuously defining an openslot in soil loosened by the first and second structures as the frameadvances in a travel direction.

In one form, the first and second structures penetrate soil to a depthapproximately equal to the depth of a slot in soil defined by the fourthstructure. This depth can be slightly less than, equal to, or slightlygreater than the depth of the seed slot.

The invention further contemplates the combination of the abovestructure with a fifth structure on the frame for continuouslydelivering at least one of seed and fertilizer to soil and a sixthstructure for continuously replacing soil in a slot defined by the fifthstructure as the frame is advanced in a travel direction.

The invention still further contemplates an apparatus for preparing soilfor the placement therein of at least one of seed and fertilizer, whichapparatus has a frame, first structure on the frame for continuouslyparting the soil in an intended line of introduction of at least one ofseed and fertilizer, and second structure on the frame for looseningsoil adjacent to the intended line of introduction of at least one ofseed and fertilizer.

The invention further contemplates an apparatus for preparing soil, asdescribed above, including a frame with first and second cooperating,toothed wheels mounted to the frame so that the first and second toothedwheels rotate in first and second vertically extending planes aboutfirst and second transverse axes to loosen soil. Structure is providedfor supporting the frame at a predetermined height relative to subjacentsoil supporting the frame. Structure is additionally provided on theframe for continuously defining an open slot in, or in the vicinity of,soil loosened by the first and second wheels as the frame is advanced ina travel direction. The frame supporting structure maintains the frameat a predetermined height so that the slot defining structure defines aslot having a first depth. At least one of the first and second wheelspenetrates soil to a depth at least equal to approximately the firstdepth.

Preferably, both the first and second wheels penetrate soil to at leastthe first depth.

The invention also contemplates a method of preparing soil for placementof at least one of seed and fertilizer therein, which method includesthe steps of: continuously cutting the soil in an intended line for theplacement of at least one of seed and fertilizer; continuously looseningthe soil on opposite sides of the intended seed line; and continuouslydefining an open slot for the placement of at least one of seed andfertilizer in, or in the vicinity of, the loosened soil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a soil treating implement includingan apparatus for preparing soil for the placement of seed andfertilizer, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the inventive apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a schematic, plan view of a towing vehicle attachedoperatively to a plurality of implements, as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, plan view of the implement in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, side elevation view of the implement in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a slot formed in a conventionalmanner;

FIG. 7 is a view of the slot as in FIG. 6 with a seed therein and soilreplaced in the slot in conventional manner;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a slot made according to the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 8 with a seed in the slot and the soilreplaced according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1-5, an apparatus for preparing soil for the placement of seedand fertilizer, according to the present invention, is shown at 10. Theinventive apparatus 10 is part of a multi-function implement at 12which, in one pass over a field, prepares the underlying soil 14 forplanting, opens the soil 14 for placement of seed, places the seed,resituates the soil around the seed, and applies a fertilizer.

In normal operation, a plurality of the implements 12 are mounted to atowing frame at 16 that is drawn by a towing vehicle 18, which is in theform of a tractor. The implements 12 are operatively connected to theframe 16 in side-by-side relationship and are mobilized by gauge wheels20, which in addition to facilitating movement of the implements 12 inthe forward direction of travel for the towing vehicle 18, as indicatedby arrow 22, maintain the frame 24 on each implement 12 at apredetermined height relative to subjacent soil 14 over which theimplements 12 are moved.

The inventive apparatus 10 consists of a first means at 26 forpenetrating/parting the soil and second means at 28, at least partiallydownstream of the first means 26, for loosening soil downstream of thefirst means 26, stripping soil clods that may accumulate on the firstmeans 26, and breaking up soil clods that may be thrown by the firstmeans 26.

While the first means 26 could take any of a number of different forms,in one preferred form, the first means 26 is a coulter wheel 30 that ismounted to a depending arm 31 on the implement frame 24 for rotationabout a horizontal axis 32 that is substantially perpendicular to thedirection of travel of the towing vehicle 18 and the implements 12carried thereby. The coulter wheel 30 can take a number of differentforms. For example, it could be a 13-wave, an 8-wave, or a rippleconstruction, known to those skilled in the agricultural art. This typeof wheel has a width on the order of one inch.

The second means 28 consists of second and third wheels 34, 36, whichare rotatable about axes 38, 40, respectively. The wheels 34, 36 eachhave a cylindrical body 44 from which equidistantly spaced teeth 46project in cantilever fashion. A highly preferred construction for thesewheels is embodied in a product currently being sold by the assigneeherein under the trademark TRASHWHEEL™.

A hub assembly 48 mounts each of the wheels 34, 36 to the implementframe 24 so that the planes of rotation of the wheels 36, 38 define a“V” shape within an included angle a on the order of 30-40 degree. Thewheels 34, 36 are toed in slightly at the bottom portions thereof. Withthis arrangement, as the wheels 34, 36 are dragged through the soil 14,they are automatically rotated. As this rotation occurs, the wheels 34,36 redistribute residue laterally to the sides of an intended seed lineand at the same time pulverize and provide a loosened bed of soil to thesides of the seed line 50. With the residue cleared, a uniform heightpath is created for the gauge wheels 20 so that the implement frame 24runs at a consistent height relative to the underlying soil 14.

In addition to loosening the soil 14, the wheels 34, 36 perform acleaning function for the coulter wheels 30. To accomplish this latterfunction, the wheels 34, 36 are arranged to straddle the trailing end ofthe coulter wheel 30 so that there is overlap in the line of travel. Thecoulter wheel 30 tends to pick up soil clods and either throw them intothe implements 12 or propel them randomly within the field. With thewheels 34, 36 situated according to the present invention, the wheels34, 36 intercept any clods at the point that they normally separate fromthe coulter wheel 30 and break up the clods to cause an evendistribution thereof over the field. The wheels 34, 36 additionally tendto scrape loose any large clods that hang up on the coulter wheel 30.

Downstream of the wheels 34, 36 a V-opener is provided at 52. TheV-opener 52 consists of cooperating disks 54, 56 which are toed in attheir bottom portions and freely rotatable about transverse axes 58, 60.As the implement 12 advances, the disks 54, 56 cooperate to define aV-shaped, upwardly opening seed slot 62 in the soil 14.

Once the slot 62 is formed, seed from a supply 64 on the implement 12 isdirected by gravity into the slot 62. Thereafter, a cooperating pair ofclosing wheels/disks 66, 68, of a conventional construction, direct soilback into the slot 62 to cover the seed therein and effect a slightcompaction of the soil 14. The wheels/disks 66, 68 are arranged toconverge from top to bottom and are toed in slightly at the trailingends thereof so that the wheels/disks 66, 68 rotate on their own as theyare advanced over the soil 14.

Fertilizer from a supply 70 can then be sprayed over the soil 14 withthe, seed therein to complete the operations performed by the implement12.

One advantage of the present invention affords over the prior art can beseen by comparing the seed slot 62 in FIGS. 8 and 9 formed according tothe present invention, versus the seed slot 62′ formed usingconventional techniques. With the invention, the coulter wheel 30 partsthe soil 14 preferably to the depth at which the individual seeds 72 areto be placed. The following wheels 34, 36 break up soil and define arelatively large, U-shaped base of loosened soil 14 at, or in thevicinity of, the soil parting line. Consequently, when the V-opener 52engages the loosened soil 14 or soil in the vicinity of the loosenedsoil, the soil 14 redistributes readily without significant compaction.For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the loosened soil 14 can spilllaterally outwardly and mound at the sides of the slot 62. The closingwheels 66, 68 then place the loosened soil back into the slot 62 so thatthe seed 72 is covered by a substantial depth of loosened soil.Consequently, the likelihood of exposure of the seed 72 is minimal, evenafter the loosened soil shrinks after being completely dried out.

The loosened soil 14 provides an excellent receptacle for liquidfertilizer or other treating liquid. The loosened sod is relativelyhomogeneous and effectively absorbs and retains the liquid.

On the other hand, by forcing the V-opener 52 through the soil 14 beforeany pre-treatment, by the conventional technique, the walls 74, 76 ofthe slot 621 are significantly compacted. At the same time, themoistened soil gets smeared on the side walls 74 9 76, so as to make arelatively hard receptacle for the incoming seed 72.

Since much of the soil 14 is compacted, when the closing wheels 66, 68encounter the soil 14, very little of the soil 14 may be available to beplaced back into the slot 62′. That portion of the soil 14 that doesfind its way back into the slot 62′ may include clumps 78 which bridgethe walls 74, 76 and may preclude complete covering of the seed 72 bysoil. Still further, the small amount of soil 14 within the slot 62′,upon drying out, may develop cracks 80, whereby the seed 72 at thebottom of the slot 62′ is fully exposed to the elements. The seed 72 isthus prone to being destroyed, as by sunlight, fertilizer from thesupply 70 during the planting process, or by water which may float theseed 72 to be improperly positioned in the slot 62′ or completely out ofthe slot 62′.

The invention contemplates that the coulter wheel 30 and second andthird wheels 34, 36 be vertically repositionable. To accomplish this,the frame 24 includes a frame subassembly 82 consisting of a main framepart 84 and a subpart 86. The main frame part 84 has a mounting bracket87 held removably in an operative position on the implement 12 by bolts88.

The arm 31 is integrally formed with the bracket 87 and is a fixed partof the frame 24. The arm 31 has a depending length 90 to which thecoulter wheel 30 is attached by a bolt 92. The arm length 90 has aplurality of vertically spaced bores 94 to accept the bolt 92 andthereby mount the coulter wheel 30 in a plurality of different positionson the frame 24. Since the position of the gauge wheels 20 relative tothe frame 24 is fixed, the depth of the coulter wheel penetration isdetermined by this adjustment. Preferably, the range of adjustment issuch that the coulter wheel 30 can be situated to make a shallow cut andalso to make a cut significantly deeper than the desired seed depth.

The frame subpart 86 connects to the bracket for controlled verticalmovement relative thereto. The frame subpart 86 is in the form of avertically extending stem 94, at the bottom of which the wheels 34, 36are mounted. A suitable connection for adjustably mounting the stem 94to the bracket 87 is described fully in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,282,which is incorporated herein by reference. The range of adjustment forthe wheels 34, 36 is preferably between a position wherein the wheels34, 36 skim the soil 14 to a position wherein the wheels 34, 36penetrate to a depth below the planting depth for the seed 72.

With the inventive structure, the seed 72 is consistently and safelyencapsulated in soil 14. Liquid fertilizer, or the like, can be heldcaptive in the loosened, homogenous soil. Consequently, predictable,optimum crop yield will result.

The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to beillustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.

While particular embodiments and applications of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise construction and compositionsdisclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variationsmay be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for preparing soil to be planted, said apparatuscomprising: a frame having a front and rear; a coulter wheel mounted onthe frame at an elevation at which said coulter wheel penetrates thesoil as the frame is advanced in a travel direction over the soil; andat least one toothed wheel rotatably mounted on the frame and engagingthe soil, a portion of said toothed wheel extending rearwardly of saidcoulter wheel with respect to said travel direction, and a forwardportion of said toothed wheel overlapping a rear portion of said coulterwheel to strip soil clods from said coulter wheel.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said toothed wheel is angled to redistribute residuelaterally from said opening created by said coulter wheel with theoverlapping portion of said toothed wheel converging toward said coulterwheel so that the tips of the teeth are closest to said coulter wheel.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said toothed wheels are both angledto redistribute residue laterally from said opening created by saidcoulter wheel with the overlapping portion of said toothed wheelconverging toward said coulter wheel so that the tips of the teeth areclosest to said coulter wheel.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 whichincludes a pair of said toothed wheels.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said coulter wheel has a central axis and said toothed wheelresides substantially entirely rearwardly of said central axis of thecoulter wheel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coulter wheel isone of a wave and a ripple construction.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 incombination with a pair of discs mounted on the frame for continuouslydefining an open slot in the soil for receipt of at least one of seedand fertilizer as the frame advances in a travel direction.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 in combination with a seed supply mounted on theframe for continuously delivering at least one of seed and fertilizer tosoil and a pair of closing wheels mounted on the frame for continuouslyplacing soil in said slot as the frame is advanced in a traveldirection.
 9. A method of preparing soil to be planted, said methodcomprising: traversing the soil with a frame carrying a rotatablecoulter wheel mounted at an elevation at which said coulter wheelpenetrates the soil as the frame is advanced in a travel direction overthe soil, and at least one toothed wheel rotatably mounted on the frame,a portion of said toothed wheel extending rearwardly of said coulterwheel with respect to said travel direction, and a forward portion ofsaid toothed wheel overlapping a rear portion of said coulter wheel tostrip soil clods from said coulter wheel, said toothed wheel beingmounted at an elevation at which said toothed wheel engages the soil toredistribute residue on the soil.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein saidtoothed wheel is angled to redistribute residue laterally from saidopening created by said coulter wheel with the overlapping portion ofsaid toothed wheel converging toward said coulter wheel so that the tipsof the teeth are closest to said coulter wheel.
 11. The method of claim9 which includes a pair of said toothed wheels.
 12. The method of claim11 wherein said toothed wheels are both angled to redistribute residuelaterally from said opening created by said coulter wheel with theoverlapping portion of said toothed wheel converging toward said coulterwheel so that the tips of the teeth are closest to said coulter wheel.13. The method of claim 9 wherein said coulter wheel has a central axisand said toothed resides substantially entirely rearwardly of saidcentral axis of the coulter wheel.
 14. The method of claim 9 whereinsaid coulter wheel is one of a wave and a ripple construction.
 15. Themethod of claim 9 which includes continuously forming an open slot inthe soil behind the toothed wheel for receipt of at least one of seedand fertilizer as the frame advances in a travel direction.
 16. Themethod of claim 15 which includes continuously delivering at least oneof seed and fertilizer to soil and a pair of closing wheels mounted onthe frame for continuously placing soil in said slot as the frame isadvanced in a travel direction.
 17. An apparatus for preparing soil tobe planted, said apparatus comprising: a frame having a front and rear;a coulter wheel mounted on the frame at an elevation at which saidcoulter wheel penetrates the soil as the frame is advanced in a traveldirection over the soil; and at least one toothed wheel rotatablymounted on the frame and engaging the soil, said toothed wheeloverlapping a rear portion of said coulter wheel to strip soil clodsfrom said coulter wheel and tracing a path in rotation bounded by aplane that intersects said coulter wheel.
 18. A method of preparing soilto be planted, said method comprising: traversing the soil with a framecarrying a rotatable coulter wheel mounted at an elevation at which saidcoulter wheel penetrates the soil as the frame is advanced in a traveldirection over the soil, and at least one toothed wheel rotatablymounted on the frame and overlapping a rear portion of said coulterwheel to strip soil clods from said coulter wheel and tracing a path inrotation bounded by a plane that intersects said coulter wheel, saidtoothed wheel being mounted at an elevation at which said toothed wheelengages the soil to redistribute residue on the soil.
 19. An apparatusfor preparing soil to be planted, said apparatus comprising a framehaving a first portion adapted to mount a rotatable coulter wheel at anelevation at which said coulter wheel penetrates the soil as the frameis advanced in a travel direction over the soil, and a second portionadapted to mount at least one rotatable toothed wheel in a position atwhich said toothed wheel engages the soil as the frame is advanced in atravel direction over the soil, with a portion of said toothed wheelextending rearwardly of said coulter wheel with respect to said traveldirection, and a forward portion of said toothed wheel overlapping arear portion of said coulter wheel to strip soil clods from said coulterwheel, a coulter wheel adapted to be mounted on said first portion ofsaid frame, and at least one toothed wheel adapted to be mounted on saidsecond portion of said frame.
 20. A method of preparing soil to beplanted, said method comprising providing a frame having a first portionadapted to mount a rotatable coulter wheel at an elevation at which saidcoulter wheel penetrates the soil as the frame is advanced in a traveldirection over the soil, and a second portion adapted to mount at leastone rotatable toothed wheel in a position at which said toothed wheelengages the soil as the frame is advanced in a travel direction over thesoil, with a portion of said toothed wheel extending rearwardly of saidcoulter wheel with respect to said travel direction, and a forwardportion of said toothed wheel overlapping a rear portion of said coulterwheel to strip soil clods from said coulter wheel, providing a coulterwheel adapted to be mounted on said first portion of said frame, andproviding at least one toothed wheel adapted to be mounted on saidsecond portion of said frame.